Presenters

Ilana de la Vega

Ilana de la Vega is the Mexican Specialist at The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio and a member of the CIAs Latin Cuisines Advisory Council also consults on Mexican cooking. Prior to joining the CIA in 2007, Iliana won worldwide acclaim for her reinterpretation of Oaxacan moles at her restaurant, El Naranjo in Oaxaca. Born and raised in Mexico City, she has been featured in top U.S. publications including The New York Times, Bon Apptit, and Conde Nast Traveler. Today Iliana teaches continuing education classes at the CIA, San Antonio, presents at CIA conferences in San Antonio and the Napa Valley, and conducts culinary research throughout Latin America by traveling to interview chefs, home cooks, culinary historians, growers and producers. She documents detailed information about the ingredients, recipes, culinary techniques, and cultural influences that are shaping cuisine within the 21 countries of Latin America.
Iliana along with her husband Ernesto is opening El Naranjo Mobile a food truck serving Mexicos street food.